Dooley Noted: 9/16/2015
I’ve been sick for about a week, spending way too much time in bed, thinking.
I got a lot of busy work done – and a lot of quality healing time logged.
But without distraction, the mind can wander.
When the mind is left wandering, sometimes it is left to fester.
I found myself getting stuck on feelings and unable to meditate my way through them.
I reached out to my friends, and they offered helpful advice to clear some cobwebs.
As they got me on a productive path, I called my therapist.
As we talked out some of the feelings I was having, she made a really important statement that I never heard before.
She said, “Feelings aren’t facts.”
Now, this is a very tough concept for me, because perception is reality.
Perception is largely based upon how we feel at any given moment.
But, feelings are energy – straight up electrical conductivity between neurons.
And energy can be shifted. Therefore, perception can be morphed – If you choose a different pathway and release the resistance to change.
The limbic system largely manages our emotions. And it also manages our homeostasis – our physiological balance in the system.
You can prove it.
Think of something that gets you emotionally charged, and your respiration rate and blood pressure will go up.
The systems are linked for good reason. We respond to our environment by the way that we feel.
Therefore, our health status is affected by our feelings and the way our limbic system carries them over into homeostasis.
I’m aware that much of my current health status was brought on by emotional stress.
I’m also aware that if I let my emotional status go uncontrolled or unexpressed, it results in a change in my physical health.
So, I know there was more room for handling emotions in a productive manner.
Some of us have outbursts at our loved ones – or the cab driver.
Some of us choke the feelings down and push them deeply away.
Some of us wade too long in the current emotion, until we are in danger of drowning in it.
Either way, somebody is getting hurt.
But there are ways to process without hurt.
The tricky part is that process is different for everyone – and may even be different for each emotion.
One has to learn the productive process for himself or herself.
Feelings aren’t facts, because feelings can change.
Thus, you can change the way you feel and change the perception of your reality.
And that can turn a health status in a different direction.
As always, it’s your call.
-Dr. Kathy Dooley
